AAMI APP AUTOBODY REPAIRER OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNER LARGE SHOP VIC

Every state in Australia seems to produce its iconic panel shops. In Victoria, Bruce Bennett's Blackburn Motor Body is one of them.
Starting with a three man business in Alfred Street, Blackburn in 1977, Bennett had built his stake in smash repairing to eight shops by 1994 ? largely because he wanted places to promote his best young managers. But running that kind of multi sided operation eventually robbed him of too much personal time and he began selling them, starting with those with the lowest turnover and greatest growth restrictions. He also owned a substantial towing business, Nationwide Towing, which he sold last year.
In common with the most successful shop owners in Australia Bennett is primarily an analyst, then a businessman, and only then a smash repairer. He can quote numbers and percentages about every aspect of his shop's business and give sound reasons for every move he's made.
He'll tell you that his 32 employees turn out between 7.6 and 8.9 cars a day (or 178 a month), that on three days a week an afternoon paint shift sharply improves efficiency
that 78 per cent of his work is prestige (appointed repairer for Lexus, Subaru, Daimler-Chrysler and Audi). He is an outstanding example of working on the business, not in it.
Blackburn Motor Body is well presented from the street and has neat, comfortable reception and offices which, Bennett admits, could do with an update. But a surprise awaits through the rear office door and into the shop itself. Gleaming, spotless epoxy coated floors give the impression of a hospital rather than a smash repairer. The equipment caries the premium brands: Celette, Fan, Car-O-Liner, Lowbake. Paint of choice is Standox. The production line is organised so that cars begin in the spacious front assessment area, loop through the repair process and finish at the Bennett recently spent around quarter of a million dollars on an Audi aluminium isolation room as part of his agreement as the sole factory appointed Audi repairer in Victoria ? with dedicated work coming from South Australia and Tasmania as well. He's so far repaired 28 Audi fully aluminium A8s and is set up to handle virtually any car containing aluminium parts.
The two Lowbake spray booths are end on end and share a common infra red arch. Bennett says this is the most efficient way to paint.

Maxwell's comment
An highly regarded shop which has earned its reputation by embracing the latest technology and management methods ? and then delivering.